OBJECTIVES: Analytical difficulties and lack of a biological exposure index and reference values have prevented using unmetabolized urinary benzene (UB) excretion as a biomarker of low-level environmental exposure. To explore what environmental factors beyond active smoking may contribute to environmental exposure to benzene, we monitored UB excretion in a non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed sample of the general population. METHODS: Two spot urine samples were obtained from 86 non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed subjects, selected among a random sample of the general population of the metropolitan area of Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), at 8:00 a.m. (UBm) and 8:00 p.m. (UBe). UB was measured by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Questionnaire information on personal and environmental exposures during the sampling day was gathered with personal interviews. Multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression model were applied to investigate the role of such variables on the level of UB. RESULTS: The ninety-fifth percentile of UBe in this population was 311.5 ng/L, which is tentatively proposed as the UB guidance value for unexposed populations. UBm and urban residence were the only predictors of a significant increase in UBe excretion. Self-reported residential vehicular traffic will not account for the excess median value among urban residents; commuting time among urban residents showed a suggestive nonsignificant linear correlation with UBe, but the small sample size prevented reliable inference to be drawn. Age, environmental tobacco smoking, employment status and body mass index did not affect UB excretion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of unmetabolized UB as a specific and sensitive biomarker of low-level environmental exposure to benzene.
OBJECTIVES: Analytical difficulties and lack of a biological exposure index and reference values have prevented using unmetabolized urinary benzene (UB) excretion as a biomarker of low-level environmental exposure. To explore what environmental factors beyond active smoking may contribute to environmental exposure to benzene, we monitored UB excretion in a non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed sample of the general population. METHODS: Two spot urine samples were obtained from 86 non-smoking, non-occupationally exposed subjects, selected among a random sample of the general population of the metropolitan area of Cagliari (Sardinia, Italy), at 8:00 a.m. (UBm) and 8:00 p.m. (UBe). UB was measured by headspace solid-phase microextraction (HS-SPME) followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis. Questionnaire information on personal and environmental exposures during the sampling day was gathered with personal interviews. Multivariate analysis of variance and multiple regression model were applied to investigate the role of such variables on the level of UB. RESULTS: The ninety-fifth percentile of UBe in this population was 311.5 ng/L, which is tentatively proposed as the UB guidance value for unexposed populations. UBm and urban residence were the only predictors of a significant increase in UBe excretion. Self-reported residential vehicular traffic will not account for the excess median value among urban residents; commuting time among urban residents showed a suggestive nonsignificant linear correlation with UBe, but the small sample size prevented reliable inference to be drawn. Age, environmental tobacco smoking, employment status and body mass index did not affect UB excretion. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings support the use of unmetabolized UB as a specific and sensitive biomarker of low-level environmental exposure to benzene.
Authors: Nancy B Hopf; Jorunn Kirkeleit; Magne Bråtveit; Paul Succop; Glenn Talaska; Bente E Moen Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2011-06-14 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: Silvia Fustinoni; Federica Rossella; Laura Campo; Rosa Mercadante; Pier Alberto Bertazzi Journal: Sci Total Environ Date: 2010-04-24 Impact factor: 7.963
Authors: Piero Lovreglio; Anna Barbieri; Mariella Carrieri; Laura Sabatini; Maria Enrica Fracasso; Denise Doria; Ignazio Drago; Antonella Basso; Maria Nicolà D'Errico; Giovanni Battista Bartolucci; Francesco Saverio Violante; Leonardo Soleo Journal: Int Arch Occup Environ Health Date: 2009-10-14 Impact factor: 3.015
Authors: C Steffen; M F Auclerc; A Auvrignon; A Baruchel; K Kebaili; A Lambilliotte; G Leverger; D Sommelet; E Vilmer; D Hémon; J Clavel Journal: Occup Environ Med Date: 2004-09 Impact factor: 4.402